NEWSLETTER
Year 3 of the Matt Nagy Era is scheduled to kick off in September (pandemic permitting). And the Bears, like many others, are operating with virtual meetings until we can all get together in large groups.
In the meantime, let’s take a look at Chicago’s roster as it’s currently constituted. Because it’s never too early to look at a depth chart.
Quarterback
1) Mitch Trubisky
2) Nick Foles
3) Tyler Bray
I’m still surprised the Bears haven’t added someone to give Bray a run for his money at QB3. It’s not as if there aren’t enough coaches in the room that Chicago can’t handle a developmental quarterback.
Running back
1) David Montgomery
2) Tarik Cohen
3) Ryan Nall
UDFAs: Napoleon Maxwell, Artavis Pierce
Wide Receiver #1
1) Allen Robinson II
2) Cordarrelle Patterson
3) Thomas Ives
Wide Receiver #2
1) Ted Ginn Jr.
2) Darnell Mooney (rookie)
3) Javon Wims
4) Alex Wesley
Slot Receiver
1) Anthony Miller
2) Riley Ridley
3) Austin Trevor Davis (Edit: had my Davis’ mixed up there for a moment)
4) Reggie Davis
Prior to Ginn’s arrival, I was prepared to place Mooney as the starting receiver opposite of Robinson. It would have been a bold move, to be sure, but one that might have been worth it to add an element of speed to the lineup.
“U” Tight end
1) Jimmy Graham
2) Ben Braunecker
3) Jesper Horsted
4) Darion Clark (rookie)
“Y” Tight end
1) Cole Kmet (rookie)
2) Demetrius Harris
3) Adam Shaheen
4) J.P. Holtz
5) Eric Saubert
UDFA: Ahmad Wagner (listed as a receiver coming out of college, Wagner projects to be a developmental “move” tight end prospect at the pro level)
Altogether, the Bears have 10 tight ends on their roster. Even with expanded rosters, I don’t imagine a scenario in which they carry all 10 on the active roster. If I had to guess, Chicago will open the regular season with 4-5 active tight ends. Choose your fighters wisely, Bears fans.
Left tackle
1) Charles Leno Jr.
2) Jason Spriggs
3) Dino Boyd
Right tackle
1) Bobby Massie
2) Rashaad Coward
3) Alex Bars
UDFA: Badara Traore
Center
1) Cody Whitehair
2) James Mustipher
Right guard
1) Germain Ifedi
2) Rashaad Coward
3) Lachavious Simmons
Left guard
1) James Daniels
2) Corey Levin
3) Arlington Hambright (rookie)
UDFAs: Dieter Eiselen
This position group is going to have some battles ahead. Germain Ifedi and Rashaad Coward going at it to start at right guard. Seventh-rounders Arlington Hambright and Lachavious Simmons battling for a back-of-the roster spot. Can Alex Bars hold on to to a reserve OL gig? Is Jason Spriggs as bad as Packers fans warn me he is? Only one way to find out.
Defensive tackle
1) Akiem Hicks
2) Brent Urban
3) Abdullah Anderson
Defensive end
1) Bilal Nichols
2) Roy Robertson-Harris
Nose tackle
1) Eddie Goldman
2) John Jenkins
UDFAs: Lee Autry, Trevon McSwain
Edge rusher #1
1) Khalil Mack
2) James Vaughters
3) Isaiah Irving
Edge rusher #2
1) Robert Quinn
2) Barkevious Mingo
3) Devante Bond
4) Trevis Gipson
Inside linebacker #1
1) Roquan Smith
2) Joel Iyiegbuniwe
Inside linebacker #2
1) Danny Trevathan
2) Josh Woods
UDFAs: Keandre Jones, LaCale London, Ledarius Mack, Rashad Smith
The front seven is the biggest strength on the roster. It is a group that has high-end talent (Mack, Quinn, Hicks, Goldman), steady and reliable contributors (Trevathan, Nichols), and players with Pro Bowl upside if everything comes together (Roquan, Goldman). You’d be hard-pressed to find a better, more well-rounded front seven than the one currently residing in Chicago.
Cornerback #1
1) Kyle Fuller
2) Tre Roberson
3) Michael Joseph
4) Stephen Denmark
Cornerback #2
1) Jaylon Johnson (rookie)
2) Kevin Toliver II
3) Artie Burns
4) Xavier Crawford
Slot cornerback
1) Buster Skrine
2) Duke Shelley
3) Kindle Vildor
Safety #1
1) Eddie Jackson
2) Sherrick McManis
3) DeAndre Houston-Carson
Safety #2
1) Tashaun Gipson
2) Deon Bush
3) Jordan Lucas
4) Kentrell Brice
Chicago’s secondary represents the team’s second biggest strength. It’s a close-but-no-cigar second behind the collection of talent the front seven boasts, but it’s not a group that should go overlooked. The Bears’ defensive backfield features three Pro Bowlers (Fuller, Jackson, Gipson) and a second-round pick who had a first-round grade by several entities and college football insiders ahead of the pre-draft process. They’re good, which makes me intrigued to know there is still room to grow.
Special teams
• Kicker: Eddy Piñeiro, Ramiz Ahmed
• Long snapper: Patrick Scales
• Punter, Holder: Pat O’Donnell
Kick returner
1) Cordarrelle Patterson
2) Anthony Miller
3) Tarik Cohen
Punt returner
1) Tarik Cohen
2) Eddie Jackson
Remember when Eddie Jackson was projected to be a return specialist, but was deemed too valuable at safety to put him out there unless it was an emergency? Bears fans who braved the heat to watch Jackson and the Bears in Bourbonnais back in 2017 probably remember it vividly.
